Strawberry plant named ‘Palomar’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinctive short-day type cultivar designated as ‘Palomar’. ‘Palomar’ is a short-day (June-bearing) cultivar similar to ‘Camino Real’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,079), but with higher quality fruit, lower cull rate and lighter colored fruit; it is similar to ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469), but with a more compact plant, superior fruit quality, and firmer, better flavored fruit.

Genus and species: The strawberry cultivar of this invention isbotanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘Palomar’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

‘Palomar’ originated from a cross performed in 2000 between thecultivars ‘Camino Real’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,079) and ‘Ventana’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 13,469). Because ‘Palomar’ was isolated from pooled seedfrom a reciprocal cross, it is not known which parent is the maternalparent and which is the paternal parent. ‘Palomar’ was first fruitednear Winters, Calif. in 2001, where it was selected, originallydesignated Cal 0.259-2, and propagated asexually by runners. Followingselection and during testing, the plant was designated ‘C221’. Asexualpropagules from this original source have been tested in Watsonville,Calif., Irvine, Calif., and to a limited extent in grower fieldsstarting in 2002. The properties of this variety were found to betransmissible by such asexual reproduction. The cultivar is stable andreproduces true to type in successive generations of asexualreproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive short-day type cultivardesignated as ‘Palomar’. ‘Palomar’ is a short-day (June bearing)cultivar similar to ‘Camino Real’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,079) but withhigher quality fruit, lower cull rate and lighter colored fruit; it issimilar to ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469) but with a morecompact plant, superior fruit quality, and firmer, better flavoredfruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘Palomar’ cultivar.

FIG. 1 shows the general flowering and fruiting characteristics ofplants in a field planting.

FIG. 2 shows a typical leaf at mid-season.

FIG. 3 shows representative mid-season fruit.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of representative mid-season fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive short-day type cultivardesignated as ‘Palomar’. ‘Palomar’ is typical of short-day strawberrycultivars and produces fruit over an extended period when treatedappropriately in arid, subtropical climates. The production pattern for‘Palomar’ is similar to that for ‘Camarosa’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708)and ‘Camino Real’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,079), although it is somewhatearlier to initiate fruiting with most cultural treatments. ‘Palomar’initiates fruiting somewhat earlier than ‘Ventana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.13,469) when established in very early fall and somewhat later than‘Ventana’ when established in mid to late fall. ‘Palomar’ will be ofspecial interest for winter plantings, where ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’ and‘Camino Real’ have been successful, and in summer plantings where‘Pajaro’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,538) and ‘Chandler’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.5,262) have been successful.

-   Plants and foliage: Fruiting plants of ‘Palomar’ are similar in    morphology to ‘Ventana’ although slightly more erect and much    smaller throughout most of the production season; ‘Palomar’ plants    are slightly larger and less open than those of ‘Camino Real’ in    most production environments. Comparative statistics for foliar    characters near mid-season are given for ‘Palomar’ and three    comparison cultivars in Table 1. Individual leaflets for ‘Palomar’    are smaller and less rounded than for ‘Camarosa’ or ‘Camino Real’,    similar in shape to but smaller than for ‘Ventana’. Leaves    (including petioles) for ‘Palomar’ are shorter than those for the    comparison cultivars, mostly due to shorter petiole length. Petioles    for ‘Palomar’ are generally thicker than those of the comparison    cultivars relative to their length and tend to have moderate or    heavy pubescence. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces    of leaves for ‘Palomar’ are similar in color to ‘Camarosa’ and    lighter than for ‘Camino Real’ leaves at mid season; they tend to    remain darker and less yellow than those for ‘Ventana’ late in the    harvest season. Leaves of ‘Palomar’ have consistently more concavity    than ‘Camarosa’, less concavity than ‘Camino Real’ and are similar    to those for ‘Ventana’. Serrations at mid season are more pointed    than for ‘Camarosa’, similar in shape and number to ‘Ventana’ and    ‘Camino Real’.

TABLE 1 Foliar and plant characteristics for ‘Palomar’, ‘Camarosa’,‘Camino Real’, and ‘Ventana’. Cultivar Foliar ‘Camino Character‘Camarosa’ Real’ ‘Ventana’ ‘Palomar’ Plant height (mm) mean 254 249 271196 range 203-279 229-279 254-292 152-229 Plant spread (mm) mean 427 418468 391 range 394-493 330-495 343-521 305-432 Mid-tier leaflet Length(mm) mean 83.5 79.5 87.2 75.5 range  70-100 70-95  70-110  70-100 Width(mm) mean 85.5 85 76.1 71.5 range  70-100  70-100 60-85 65-80 Mid-tierleaf Length (mm) mean 269 265 281 211 range 217-311 225-313 205-341150-298 Width (mm) mean 132 133 156 122 range 115-150 110-145 140-170 90-175 Leaf components Petiole length (mm) mean 177 180 187 130 range140-200 150-210 130-230  75-190 Petiole diameter (mm) mean 3.8 3.8 3.63.6 range 3-5 3-5 3-4 3-4 Petiolule length (mm) mean 9.3 6.4 6.9 6.3range  7-11 5-8 5-9 5-8 # leaflets/leaf 3 3, rarely 4 3 3, rarely 4 or 5Leaf convexity flat-convex, very concave flat to very concave to mostslightly concave very concave concave Serrations number/leaf 19.1 20.820.3 18.9 range 18-20 16-26 17-26 12-22 shape rounded, semi-pointedsemi-pointed semi-pointed some semi- pointed Leaf light- light-moderate- moderate pubescence moderate moderate light Petiole pubescencedensity heavy moderate- heavy moderate- heavy heavy direction perpen-perpendicu- perpen- perpen- dicular lar to dicular dicular acropetalPetiole color 5 GY 8/8 5 GY 8/8 7.5 GY 8/7 5 GY 8/8 (Munsell) Stipulelength (mm) mean 17.6 19.1 19.4 18.7 range 10-24 15-25 15-25 12-23Stipule color core 7.5 GY 8/7 2.5 GY 5/5 2.5 GY 6/8 5 GY 8/8 margins 2.5GY 8/9 2.5 GY 4/3 2.5 GY 6/8 2.5 GY 6/8 Stolon base 3 3 2.4 2.6 diameter(mm) Stolons per 42.6 33.7 23.7 36.7 nursery mother plant Venationpattern pinnate pinnate pinnate pinnate color 5 GY 4/3 7.5 GY 4/3 2.5 GY4/3 5 GY 4/3

-   Disease and pest reaction: ‘Palomar’ is moderately resistant to    powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca macularis), Anthracnose crown rot    (Colletotrichum acutatum), and Verticillium wilt (Verticillium    dahliae); it is moderately susceptible to Phytophthora crown rot    (Phytophthora cactorum) and common leaf spot (Ramularia tulasnei)    (Table 2). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted    spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) equal to that for the comparison    cultivars. ‘Palomar’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered    in California.

TABLE 2 Disease resistance scores for ‘Palomar’ and three comparisoncultivars; Phytophthora and Verticillium scores were obtained inevaluations conducted in 2004-2006, Colletotrichum was evaluated in2005-2006. Phytophthora Verticillium Colletotrichum Resistance ScoreResistance Score Resistance Score Genotype (5 = best) (5 = best) (5 =best ‘Camarosa’ 3.6 2.5 2.6 ‘Camino Real 4.4 4.2 3.1 ‘Ventana’ 2.5 3.03.0 ‘Palomar’ 2.4 3.3 3.2

-   Flowering, fruiting, fruit and production characteristics: ‘Palomar’    is similar to other California short-day strawberry cultivars (e.g.,    ‘Ventana’, ‘Camarosa’, and ‘Camino Real’) in that it will flower    over an extended period and into spring or summer, given appropriate    local temperature and horticultural conditions. With very early    plantation establishment (before October 1 in California) ‘Palomar’    produces fruit earlier than the comparison cultivars but with    greater within-season variation than ‘Ventana’. With later    plantation establishment ‘Palomar’ initiates fruit later than    ‘Ventana’ and is similar in production timing to ‘Camino Real’ and    ‘Camarosa’. Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characters    near mid-season are given for the four cultivars in Table 3. The    primary flowers for ‘Palomar’ are similar in size to the comparison    cultivars with a calyx that is distinctly larger than the corolla on    primary fruit; the sepals are similar in length and shape to    ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Ventana’, but less wide than for ‘Camino Real’. The    calyx for ‘Palomar’ varies in position but is usually neither    indented nor extended on the neck of the fruit; each primary flower    has 5-7 petals. The petals are white on the upper and lower    surfaces. The fruit shape for ‘Palomar’ can vary but is typically a    short and symmetrical conic. It is easily distinguished by fruit    shape from ‘Camarosa’ (shortened and flattened conic) or ‘Ventana’    (long conic); ‘Palomar’ usually has a greater proportion of    symmetrical fruit than the comparison cultivars. External and    internal fruit color for ‘Palomar’ is lighter than for ‘Camarosa’    and much lighter than for ‘Camino Real’, similar in color to    ‘Ventana’ (Table 4). Achenes vary from yellow to dark red, and are    even with the fruit surface or slightly indented (Table 6).

TABLE 3 Flower and fruit characters for ‘Palomar’ and three comparisoncultivars. Cultivar ‘Camino Character ‘Camarosa’ Real’ ‘Ventana’‘Palomar’ Petal number mean 5.5 6.4 6.3 5.8 range 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7 Petalshape apex truncate to truncate to truncate to truncate to slightlyslightly slightly slightly obtuse obtuse obtuse obtuse base attenuateattenuate attenuate attenuate margin entire entire entire entire Petallength (mm) mean 15.2 17.7 18.5 16.4 range  7-19 15-20 15-20 15-19 Petalwidth (mm) mean 14.1 17.3 18.8 17.4 range  7-16 15-20 16-20 15-20 Flowerposition most even exposed even to even to (relative to some exposedexposed foliage) exposed Calyx diam.(mm) mean 57.5 58.5 58 59 range40-70 50-70 48-70 50-70 Corolla diam.(mm) mean 43.1 45.6 55.1 44.3 range30-52 39-55 43-67 38-53 Sepal length (mm) mean 24 24.5 23 25.1 range13-30 20-35 20-25 20-30 Sepal width (mm) mean 12.8 15.3 11.1 12.8 range 5-20  8-20  8-15 10-17 Sepal color 2.5 GY 5/5 5 GY 5/6 5 GY 6/8 5 GY5/6 (Munsell) Pedicel length (mm) mean 130 85 129 128 range 110-150 70-110 100-150 110-150 Pedicel diameter (mm) mean 3.7 3 3.7 3.7 range  3-4.5 2-4 3-5   3-4.5 Pedicel color 5 GY 6/8 2.5 GY 6/8 5 GY 5/6 5 GY8/8 Fruit shape Fruit length (mm) mean 85 68 72.2 71.7 range  50-130 50-100  60-100 52-91 Fruit width (mm) mean 70 62 63.3 64.2 range 50-100 40-90 50-80 52-81 Length/width ratio 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.1 range0.7-2.1 0.8-1.4 0.9-1.4 0.9-1.3 subjective Obovate-flat Short conicMedium Short conic conic Primary/ secondary fruit comparison size 40-60%70-80% 50-60% 50-60% (subjective) shape similar similar shape similarshape similar shape shape, more conic Extent/size of small-absent absentsmall small-absent hollow core Calyx position indented- even- even-even- neck indented reflexed indented size relative to equal or lessequal or equal or less equal or fruit than fruit greater than than fruitgreater than diameter fruit diameter fruit diameter diameter Seedposition indented- even- even- even- extruded indented extruded indentedAdherence of weak strong intermediate weak Calyx to Fruit

Flower measurements obtained on Mar. 21, 2005, fruit measurements on May9, 2005.

TABLE 4 Foliar and fruit color characteristics for ‘Palomar’ and threecomparison cultivars. Cultivar Color ‘Camino Character ‘Camarosa’ Real’‘Ventana’ ‘Palomar’ Leaf color (CIELAB) Adaxial L* mean 34.5 29.7 33.832.2 range 31.6-37.9 27.3-31.5 31.4-35.9 30.6-34.9 a* mean −11 −8 −11.2−9.5 range  −9.2-−12.4 −6.3-−9.9  −9.1-−13.7  −8.5-−11.2 b* mean 16.710.2 15.5 12.4 range 12.8-18.5  8.2-12.5 12.4-19.7 10.9-15.0 Munsell 5GY 4/3 5 GY 4/3 5 GY 5/6 5 GY 4/3 Abaxial L* mean 50.8 48 40 49.8 range48.6-52.7 47.6-49.0 46.8-51.5 47.2-52.3 a* mean −9.4 −9.4 −9 −9.3 range −7.9-−10.6 −8.2-−10.1 −8.0-−9.8 −8.0-−9.8 b* mean 19.4 16.4 17.7 15.7range 17.0-22.3 15.0-18.1 15.4-21.3 13.8-16.9 Munsell 5 GY 6/8 5 GY 6/87.5 GY 7/9 5 GY 7/10 Fruit color (CIELAB) External L* mean 39.2 33.738.4 39.3 range 37.1-42.4 29.0-39.4 34.4-42.9 36.5-44.8 a* mean 40.636.4 40.5 43.1 range 35.8-43.5 31.4-41.2 33.5-46.5 38.1-47.9 b* mean25.6 20.2 25.7 27.4 range 22.1-28.9 13.6-27.5 19.7-29.5 21.7-34.1Munsell 7.5 R 3/6 5 R 3/7 5 R 3/7 7.5 R 4/11 Internal L* mean 60.4 56.661.4 59.1 range 53.9-67.8 49.2-61.6 54.7-68.8 46.5-64.1 a* mean 35.436.3 33.1 29.3 range 27.4-43.4 29.7-41.2 23.7-39.5 22.9-36.4 b* mean36.3 35.8 34.1 30.9 range 27.4-45.7 30.6-40.9 27.6-40-2 24.3-37.4Munsell 7.5 R 4/11 7.5 R 5/13 7.5 R 6/12 7.5 R 7/9 Achene color Munsell7.5 R 3/6 5 R 3/7 5 R 4/12 5 R 3/7 *CIELAB is the abbreviation of theinternational color system known as “Commission Internationale del'Eclairage” 1978. For recommendations concerning uniform color spaces,color difference equations, and psychometric color terms see SupplementNo. 2 of CIE Publication No. 15, Paris.

‘Palomar’ has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, andoptimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritionalprograms similar to those for ‘Camarosa’, ‘Ventana’, and ‘Camino Real’are used. In general, ‘Palomar’ is less vigorous than ‘Camarosa’ or‘Ventana’ with very early season planting is less sensitive to excesschilling than ‘Ventana’. ‘Palomar’ retains excellent fruit quality insummer planting systems.

When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘Palomar’ has largerfruit and produces individual-plant yields to similar to that of‘Camarosa’; it produces less fruit per plant but develops larger andhigher quality fruit than ‘Ventana’ (Table 5). ‘Palomar’ has a similarproduction pattern to ‘Camino Real’ with most cultural treatments,although the production is less peaked and it is substantially moreadapted to early-season winter planting. Commercial appearance ratingshave been better than those for all of the comparison cultivars,especially ‘Camarosa’; those superior appearance scores translatedirectly into a larger fraction of marketable fruit than is produced bythe comparison cultivars. Fruit for ‘Palomar’ is substantially firmerthan fruit from ‘Ventana’, similar in firmness to the other comparisoncultivars. Subjectively, ‘Palomar’ has outstanding flavor. The fruitwill be exceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will beuseful for home garden purposes.

TABLE 5 Performance of ‘Palomar’ and three comparison cultivarsevaluated at the Watsonville Research Facility in 2004-6. All plants forthese trials were harvested from a commercial nursery near Macdoel, CAon October 15-16, and transplanted after 6-15 days supplemental storage.Fruit harvest was initiated in early April and continued through thelast week of August. (52″ 2-row beds, 17,300 plants/acre). AppearanceFruit Yield Score Size Item (g/plant) (5 = best) (g/fruit) Firmness*‘Camarosa’ 2,086 3.1 26.1 9.9 ‘Camino Real’ 2,086 3.5 31.3 9.8 ‘Ventana’2,331 3.4 30.6 8.8 ‘Palomar’ 2,031 3.7 30.2 10.2 *Fruit firmness ratingsare the amount of force in tenths of pounds required to drive a 3 mmflat probe 1 cm into a ripe fruit. This is measured with a Hunter ForceGuage.

TABLE 6 Achenes number per fruit and size for ‘Palomar’ and threecomparison cultivars. Achene Cultivar Sample Weight (g) Seed CountSeed/g Size (mm) ‘Camarosa’ 1 45 427 9.49 2 47 577 12.28 3 47 502 10.68Average 46.33 502.00 10.82 1.3 × 1.7 ‘Ventana’ 1 44 441 10.02 2 41 47111.49 3 54 491 9.09 Average 46.33 467.67 10.20 1.2 × 1.6 ‘Camino’ 1 42371 8.83 2 45 470 10.44 3 38 447 11.76 Average 41.67 429.33 10.35  1.3 ×1.75 ‘Palomar’ 1 38 463 12.18 2 36 458 12.72 3 29 450 15.52 Average34.33 457.00 13.47 1.2 × 1.4 * The seed count is the number of seed perfruit. The seed/g is the number of seeds per gram of fresh fruit weightbecause the fruit size differs. The averages may vary depending onculture conditions and regimen.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant having thecharacteristics substantially as described and illustrated herein.